Our pipeline

Docetaxel and paclitaxel are the most widely used taxane therapeutics prescribed to treat various solid tumors, including prostate, breast and lung cancer. Both drugs are currently limited to regular intravenous (IV) administration , and are associated with substantial toxicity, exacerbated by their pharmacokinetic profile and the required excipients in their formulations.

Modra’s lead product, ModraDoc006/r is a boosted oral form of docetaxel (ModraDoc006) administered in combination with the boosting agent ritonavir (r), and represents the first major innovation in docetaxel therapy in 25 years.

In addition to ModraDoc006/r, Modra has the potential to develop boosted forms of other taxane therapies (and has a second clinical asset in the form of ModraPac005/r, an oral form of paclitaxel).

ModraDoc006/r

Boosted oral docetaxel

Modra’s boosted oral formulation of docetaxel, ModraDoc006/r, was designed to address limitations associated with IV-administered docetaxel.

Docetaxel, a member of the taxane class of anti-cancer therapies, is one of the most frequently used chemotherapy drugs globally and is part of standard regimens for several major solid tumor types, including prostate, breast, head and neck and lung cancer. In common with other taxanes, docetaxel is effective but hampered by a burdensome hospital-based IV administration process, as well as extensive side-effects. Although part of docetaxel’s toxicity is related to its mode of action, some key toxicities (including neutropenia) are exacerbated by its pharmacokinetics, most notably the high initial blood concentration caused by intravenous (IV) administration. In addition, key excipients used in its IV formulation, including polysorbate 80 and ethanol, are known to cause significant additional side effects.

Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) is an advanced form of prostate cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer death overall. mCRPC is resistant to surgical treatment or androgen deprivation therapy, an antihormone therapy used to prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells. IV docetaxel is currently the dominant form of chemotherapy used in mCRPC patients, and is typically used in a first-line setting in chemotherapy-naïve patients.

Modra has recently completed a Phase IIb clinical trial of ModraDoc006/r in patients with mCRPC, the results of which were presented at ASCO in June 2022, and the company is in the planning stages for a phase III study.

ModraPac005/r

Boosted oral paclitaxel

Modra’s oral formulation of paclitaxel, ModraPac005/r, has been studied in an initial Phase I clinical study. Paclitaxel, a member of the taxane class of anti-cancer therapies, is one of the most frequently applied chemotherapy drugs globally and shares a similar efficacy and toxicity profile with docetaxel.

Partnerships

We are eager to collaborate with expert partners to develop and commercialize our therapeutic programs in an effort to change cancer standard of care for the better.